CN115047582A

CN115047582A - Camera module and portable device

Info

Publication number: CN115047582A
Application number: CN202210232457.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金在京; 康桓准
Original assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-03-09
Filing date: 2022-03-08
Publication date: 2022-09-13
Also published as: CN217133453U; US20220291475A1

Abstract

The application relates to a camera module, which comprises: a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move along an optical axis; a first driver configured to drive the first lens module; a second lens module including a second lens group disposed on the first lens module and configured to move along the optical axis when the first lens module is driven by the first driver; a second driver configured to drive the second lens module independently of the first lens module; and a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module and the second lens module. The first lens group and the second lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis in a direction toward the image sensor. The application also relates to a portable device comprising a camera module.

Description

Camera module and portable device

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of priority of korean patent application No. 10-2021-.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a camera module capable of zooming.

Background

The camera module may be configured to enable auto-focus or zoom. For example, a camera module having the former function can adjust the focus by substantially moving one or all of the lens groups in the optical axis direction. As another example, a camera module having the latter function may perform zooming by moving at least two or more lens groups among a plurality of lens groups in an optical axis direction. Since a camera module having only an auto-focus function has a structure of moving one or all lens groups, optical axis mismatching between the lens groups is not a big problem. However, since a camera module including a zoom function has a structure that moves a plurality of lens groups, optical axes of actuated lens groups may be mismatched.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In a general aspect, a camera module includes: a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move along an optical axis; a first driver configured to drive the first lens module; a second lens module including a second lens group disposed on the first lens module and configured to move along the optical axis when the first lens module is driven by the first driver; a second driver configured to drive the second lens module independently of the first lens module; and a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module and the second lens module. The first lens group and the second lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis in a direction toward the image sensor.

The first driver may include a first driving magnet disposed in the first lens module and a first driving coil disposed in the housing. The second driver may include a second driving magnet disposed in the second lens module and a second driving coil disposed in the housing.

The camera module may further include a ball bearing disposed between the first lens module and the second lens module to facilitate relative movement between the second lens module and the first lens module.

The first driver and the second driver may be disposed to face each other with respect to the optical axis.

The displacement of the first lens module on the optical axis moved by the first driver may be larger than the displacement of the second lens module on the optical axis moved by the second driver.

The camera module may further include a first guide member disposed in the housing to facilitate movement of the first lens module on the optical axis.

The first guide may include one or both of a ball bearing and a rod-like member.

The camera module may further include: a first magnet provided at each of the housing and the first lens module to restrain the first lens module to the housing; and a second magnet provided at each of the housing and the second lens module to restrain the second lens module to the housing.

The length of the first magnet on the optical axis may be greater than the length of the second magnet on the optical axis.

The camera module may further include a third lens module disposed on the object side of the first lens module.

The camera module may further include a light-path converter disposed on the object side of the first lens module.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move on an optical axis of the first lens group; a second lens module including a second lens group and configured to move on an optical axis; a third lens module including a third lens group and configured to move on an optical axis; and a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module, the second lens module, and the third lens module. The first lens group, the second lens module, and the third lens group are sequentially arranged along an optical axis, and the first lens module and the third lens module are disposed on the second lens module.

The camera module may further include a first ball bearing disposed between the first lens module and the second lens module to facilitate movement of the first lens module, and a second ball bearing disposed between the second lens module and the third lens module to facilitate movement of the third lens module.

The second lens module may include a first guide groove configured to receive the first ball bearing and a second guide groove configured to receive the second ball bearing.

The camera module may further include a first driver configured to drive the first lens module in the optical axis direction, a second driver configured to drive the second lens module in the optical axis direction, and a third driver configured to drive the third lens module in the optical axis direction.

The first driver and the third driver may be disposed to face each other with the second driver with respect to the optical axis.

In another general aspect, a camera module includes: a first lens module including a first lens group; a second lens module including a second lens group and configured to move along an optical axis; a first driver configured to drive the second lens module; a third lens module including a third lens group disposed on the second lens module and configured to move in unison with the second lens module when driven; a second driver configured to drive the third lens module independently of the second lens module; and a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module, the second lens module, and the third lens module. The first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis, and a moving distance of the first driver to the second lens module is smaller than a moving distance of the second driver to the third lens module.

The camera module may further include: a first accommodating portion formed in the second lens module and configured to accommodate a first driving magnet of the first driver; and a second accommodating portion formed in the third lens module and configured to accommodate a second driving magnet of the second driver.

The first accommodating portion may extend to the image sensor side, and the second accommodating portion may extend to the object side.

In another general aspect, a portable device includes a camera module. The camera module includes: a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move along an optical axis; a second lens module including a second lens group and slidably coupled to the first lens module; a first driver configured to drive the first lens module and the second lens module; a second driver configured to drive the second lens module independently of the first lens module; and a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module and the second lens module.

The first lens module may further include a support portion, and the second lens module may be slidably coupled to the support portion.

The camera module may further include a guide groove formed in the support portion and a ball support disposed in the guide groove.

Other features and aspects will become apparent from the following claims, the accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating components of an example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 2 is a coupled perspective view of the camera module shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3A to 4C are sectional views of the camera module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 5A to 5C are views illustrating an operation state of the camera module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 6 and 7 are other forms of the camera module shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the camera module shown in fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating components of another example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 10 is a coupled perspective view of the camera module shown in fig. 9.

Fig. 11 to 12E are sectional views of the camera module shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is another form of the camera module shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 14A and 14B are an exploded perspective view and a coupled perspective view, respectively, of an example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the optical path conversion module shown in fig. 14A to 14B.

Fig. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the optical path conversion module shown in fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the lens module shown in fig. 14A to 14B.

Fig. 18A is an exploded perspective view of the lens module shown in fig. 14A to 14B.

Fig. 18B is a bottom perspective view of the lens module shown in fig. 18A.

Fig. 19 is a partially coupled perspective view of the camera module shown in fig. 14A to 14B.

Fig. 20 is a sectional view taken along line I-I of the camera module shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 21A is a sectional view taken along line II-II of the camera module shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 21B is a sectional view of a modified example of the lens module shown in fig. 21A.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of the camera module shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 23 to 25 are views illustrating an operation state of the camera module shown in fig. 19.

Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable device according to one or more embodiments.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings and detailed description. The figures may not be drawn to scale and the relative sizes, proportions and depictions of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration and convenience.

Detailed Description

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in obtaining a thorough understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, devices, and/or systems described herein will, however, be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. For example, the order of operations described herein is merely an example, and is not limited to the order set forth herein, except as operations that must occur in a particular order, but may be varied as will be apparent upon understanding the disclosure of the present application. In addition, descriptions of features well known in the art may be omitted for the sake of clarity and conciseness.

The features described herein may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the examples described herein. Rather, the examples described herein are provided merely to illustrate some of the many possible ways to implement the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of the present application.

Throughout the specification, when an element such as a layer, region or substrate is described as being "on," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, it can be directly on, "connected to" or "coupled to" the other element or one or more other elements may be present between the element and the other element. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to" or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no other elements intervening between the element and the other element.

As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any one of the associated listed items as well as any combination of any two or more of the items.

Although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers or sections are not limited by these terms. Rather, these terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first member, first component, first region, first layer, or first portion referred to in these examples may also be referred to as a second member, second component, second region, second layer, or second portion without departing from the teachings of the examples described herein.

Spatially relative terms such as "above … …," "upper," "below … …," and "lower" may be used herein for descriptive convenience to describe one element's relationship to another element as illustrated in the figures. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "above" or "upper" relative to other elements would then be oriented "below" or "lower" relative to the other elements. Thus, the term "above … …" encompasses both orientations of "above and" below. The device may also be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing various examples only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The articles "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," and "having" specify the presence of stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

By way of non-exhaustive example only, the portable devices described herein may be a portable device such as a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wearable smart device (e.g., a ring, a watch, glasses, a bracelet, an ankle chain, a belt, a necklace, an earring, a headband, a helmet, or a device embedded in clothing), a portable Personal Computer (PC) (e.g., a laptop, a notebook, a mini-notebook, a netbook, or an ultra mobile PC (umpc)), a tablet PC (a tablet), a phablet, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a digital camera, a portable game console, an MP3 player, a portable/Personal Multimedia Player (PMP), a handheld ebook, a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation device, or an HDTV sensor, or a mobile device such as a desktop PC, a High Definition Television (HDTV), a DVD player, a blu-ray player, a set-top box, or a mobile device, Or a stationary device of the home appliance, or any other mobile or stationary device configured to perform wireless or network communication. In one example, the wearable device is a device designed to be directly mountable on the body of a user, such as a pair of glasses or a bracelet. In another example, the wearable device is any device that is mounted on the user's body using an attachment device, such as a smartphone or tablet that is connected to the user's arm using an armband or hung around the user's neck using a sling.

Variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, may be expected. Thus, examples described herein are not limited to the specific shapes shown in the drawings, but include changes in shape that occur during manufacturing.

The features of the examples described herein may be combined in various ways that will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application. Further, while the examples described herein have a variety of configurations, other configurations are possible as will be apparent after understanding the disclosure of this application.

The camera module described herein may be mounted on a portable electronic product. For example, the camera module may be installed in a portable phone, a notebook computer, or the like. However, the use range of the camera module according to the current embodiment or embodiments is not limited to the above-described electronic device. For example, the camera module may be installed in any electronic device that requires screen capture and video capture (e.g., motion detection, image capture, face recognition, iris recognition, virtual reality implementations, augmented reality implementations, etc.).

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a camera module may be configured to include a plurality of lens modules. For example, the camera module may include a first lens module and a second lens module, the first lens module including a first lens group, and the second lens module including a second lens group. However, the number of lens modules constituting the camera module is not limited to two. For example, the camera module may further include a third lens module disposed in front of (object side of) or behind (image side of) the first lens module, i.e., between the first and second lens modules. The first lens module and the second lens module may be sequentially disposed along the optical axis. In detail, the first lens module may be disposed closer to the object side than the second lens module.

The camera module may be configured to enable auto-focus or zoom. For example, auto-focusing or zooming of the camera module may be performed by driving the first lens module and the second lens module. As a specific example, the focus of the camera module may be adjusted by moving the first lens module and the second lens module in the same size, and zooming of the camera module may be performed by moving the first lens module and the second lens module in different sizes.

The camera module may include first and second drivers for driving the first and second lens modules. The first driver may be configured to move the first lens module in the optical axis direction, and the second driver may be configured to move the second lens module in the optical axis direction.

According to one or more embodiments, the camera module may be configured such that the plurality of lens modules are integrally driven. For example, the first lens module and the second lens module may be configured to move integrally in a particular section. In detail, the second lens module may be moved in a state of being mounted on the first lens module. However, the second lens module is not always integrally driven with the first lens module. For example, the second lens module may be independently driven regardless of the driving of the first lens module.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a camera module may minimize problems that may occur when a first lens module and a second lens module are independently driven. For example, the above configuration can minimize a mismatch phenomenon between the optical axis of the first lens module and the optical axis of the second lens module. As another example, the actual drive width of the driver to the lens module may be minimized. As a specific example, in the above configuration, by moving the first lens module and the second lens module forward (object side) by a first distance and then moving the second lens module forward by a second distance, the effect of moving the second lens module by the first distance and the second distance can be achieved. As another example, the above-described configuration may be advantageous for implementing a telephoto camera module having a relatively long back focal length or a zoom camera module having a zoom ratio of 4 times or more.

Another example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a first lens module, a second lens module, and a third lens module. For example, the camera module may include a first lens module, a second lens module, and a third lens module sequentially arranged along the optical axis. Each of the lens modules may include one or more lenses. For example, the first lens module may include one lens, the second lens module may include two or more lenses, and the third lens module may include two or more lenses. However, the arrangement of the number of lenses constituting the lens module is not limited to the above form.

The camera module may be configured to enable auto-focus or zoom. For example, the camera module may be configured to perform auto-focusing or zooming by moving the first to third lens modules in the optical axis direction. The first to third lens modules may be configured to have different driving displacements. For example, the first lens module may be configured to have very little or no drive displacement, and the second and third lens modules may be configured to have significant drive displacement.

According to another aspect, the camera module may be configured such that the plurality of lens modules are integrally driven. For example, the second lens module and the third lens module may be configured to move integrally in a specific section. In detail, the third lens module may be moved in a state of being mounted on the second lens module. However, the third lens module is not always integrally driven with the second lens module. For example, the third lens module may be independently driven in the optical axis direction on the second lens module regardless of whether the second lens module is driven or not.

The driver of the second lens module and the driver of the third lens module may be disposed to face each other with respect to an optical axis in the camera module. For example, the driver of the second lens module may be disposed at one side with respect to the optical axis, and the driver of the third lens module may be disposed at the other side with respect to the optical axis. Therefore, the second lens module and the third lens module can be linearly moved in the optical axis direction without shaking due to the sum of the forces of the driver of the second lens module and the driver of the third lens module.

In the camera module, the position detection sensor of the second lens module and the position detection sensor of the third lens module may be disposed to face each other based on the optical axis. For example, the position detection sensor of the second lens module may be disposed at one side with respect to the optical axis, and the position detection sensor of the third lens module may be disposed at the other side with respect to the optical axis. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the camera module may quickly and accurately detect the positions of the second lens module and the third lens module.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the camera module may be configured to facilitate optical axis alignment of the lens module. For example, the first lens module and the second lens module may be configured to be aligned on the optical axis with each other by sharing one type of optical axis aligner, and the third lens module may be self-aligned on the second lens module so as to be aligned with the optical axis of the second lens module. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the camera module may quickly and accurately align the optical axes of the first to third lens modules only by sequentially assembling the first to third lens modules.

Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail based on the accompanying illustrative drawings.

First, an example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments is described with reference to fig. 1 to 8.

The camera module 10 according to one or more embodiments may include a housing 100, a first lens module 400, and a second lens module 500. However, the configuration of the camera module 10 is not limited to the housing 100, the first lens module 400, and the second lens module 500. For example, the camera module 10 may further include a substrate member 200(210 and 220) and drivers 700(710 and 720). As another example, the camera module 10 may further include an image sensor (not shown) disposed at an image forming side of the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500.

The case 100 may be formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the shape of the case 100 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 100 may be configured such that other portions than one surface are open. For example, the case 100 may be formed such that all four

side surfaces

103, 104, 105, and 106 and the upper portion are open except for the bottom portion 102. Some of the open side surfaces 103 and 106 of the housing 100 may serve as a passage for light. For example, the first side surface 103 of the case 100 may serve as a path through which light is incident, and the fourth side surface 106 may serve as a path through which light is emitted. The other open side surfaces 104 and 105 of the case 100 may serve as arrangement spaces of the base members 200(210 and 220). For example, the first substrate 210 may be disposed on the second side surface 104 of the case 100, and the second substrate 220 may be disposed on the third side surface 105 of the case 100.

The housing 100 may be configured to accommodate the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500. For example, in the inner space 110 of the housing 100, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be disposed side by side in the longitudinal direction. The inner space 110 of the case 100 may be formed to have a considerable size. For example, the inner space 110 of the housing 100 may be formed in a size that allows the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 to be driven.

The substrate member 200 may be configured in plurality. For example, the substrate member 200 may include a first substrate 210 and a second substrate 220. However, the substrate member 200 does not necessarily include a plurality of substrates. For example, the substrate member 200 may be disposed such that the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220 are connected to each other. The substrate member 200 may be configured in a soft or hard form. The substrate member 200 may be configured to house some components of the driver 700. A portion of the driver 700, for example, the drive coils 714 and 724, may be disposed on the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220, respectively.

The first lens module 400 may be disposed in the inner space 110 of the housing 100 and may be configured to move along the optical axis C in the inner space 110 of the housing 100. In detail, the first lens module 400 may be configured to move along the optical axis C on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100.

The first lens module 400 may be configured to refract incident light. For example, the first lens module 400 may include the first lens group LG 1. The first lens group LG1 may include one or more lenses having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. For example, the first lens group LG1 may include a lens having a positive refractive power and a lens having a negative refractive power. However, the number and type of lenses constituting the first lens group LG1 are not limited to the above form. For example, the first lens group LG1 may include a single lens having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power.

The first lens module 400 may be configured to drive in unison with the second lens module 500. For example, the support portion 450 may be formed on one side of the first lens module 400, and the second lens module 500 may be disposed on the support portion 450.

The support portion 450 may be configured to support a bottom surface of the second lens module 500. For example, the support portion 450 may be formed to support left and right bottom surfaces of the second lens module 500. The supporting portion 450 may be formed along the optical axis C direction. For example, the support portion 450 may be formed in a direction from one side surface of the first lens module 400 toward the image sensor (or imaging plane). The support portion 450 may be formed to have a significant length. For example, the length SL of the support part 450 may be greater than the length M2L of the second lens module 500. The dimensional relationship between the support portion 450 and the second lens module 500 described above may enable the second lens module 500 to be driven in the optical axis C direction. For example, the second lens module 500 may move by the size of SL-M2L in the direction of the optical axis C on the support portion 450 in addition to the driving of the first lens module 400.

Means for facilitating driving of the second lens module 500 may be formed or provided on the support portion 450. For example, a guide groove 452 may be formed in the support portion 450 in the optical axis C direction, and the ball bearing 350 may be disposed in the guide groove 452. Accordingly, the second lens module 500 can be rapidly and smoothly moved on the support part 450 via the ball bearings 350 provided in the guide grooves 452. For reference, in the present disclosure, the ball bearing 350 is described as a friction reducer between the bearing part 450 and the second lens module 500, but the friction reducer is not limited to the ball bearing type. For example, a rolling bearing may be used in another form to reduce friction between the bearing portion 450 and the second lens module 500. As another example, in another form for reducing friction between the support portion 450 and the second lens module 500, a protrusion having a hemispherical or semicircular shape may be formed on the support portion 450 or the second lens module 500.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to form an image on an image sensor or an imaging plane by light incident through the first lens module 400. For example, the second lens module 500 may include the second lens group LG 2. The second lens group LG2 may include one or more lenses having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. For example, the second lens group LG2 may include a lens having a positive refractive power and a lens having a negative refractive power. However, the number and type of lenses constituting the second lens group LG2 are not limited thereto. For example, the second lens group LG2 may include a single lens having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power.

The second lens module 500 may be disposed on the first lens module 400. For example, the second lens module 500 may be disposed on the support portion 450 of the first lens module 400. The second lens module 500 may be configured to move on the support portion 450. For example, the second lens module 500 can be moved on the support portion 450 in the optical axis C direction via the ball bearing 350 disposed between the guide groove 452 and the guide groove 560. The guide groove 452 of the support part 450 and the guide groove 560 of the second lens module 500 may be formed to stably contact the ball support 350. For example, the

guide grooves

452 and 560 may have a triangular sectional shape so as to contact the ball bearing 350 at least two points. However, the sectional shape of the

guide grooves

452 and 560 is not limited to the triangle. For example, the cross-section of the guide groove 452 in which the ball bearing 350 is received may be formed in a quadrangular shape.

The driver 700 may be configured to drive the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500. For example, the first driver 710 may be configured to drive the first lens module 400, and the second driver 720 may be configured to drive the second lens module 500. The driver 700 may include a driving magnet and a driving coil. For example, the first driver 710 may include a first drive magnet 712 and a first drive coil 714, and the second driver 720 may include a second drive magnet 722 and a second drive coil 724.

The driver 700 may be disposed at each of the substrate member 200 and the

lens modules

400 and 500. For example, the first and

second driving magnets

712 and 722 may be disposed on the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500, respectively, and the first and second driving coils 714 and 724 may be disposed on the first and

second substrates

210 and 220, respectively.

The first driver 710 and the second driver 720 may be disposed on different sides based on the optical axis C. For example, the first driver 710 may be disposed on the second side surface 104 of the case 100, and the second driver 720 may be disposed on the third side surface 105 of the case 100.

The first driver 710 and the second driver 720 may be configured to have different driving displacements. For example, the number of the first drive coils 714 (5 based on fig. 1) or the formation region DW1 of the first drive coils 714 formed on the first substrate 210 may be larger than the number of the second drive coils 724 (3 based on fig. 1) or the formation region DW2 of the second drive coils 724. Accordingly, the displacement of the first lens module 400 in the optical axis C direction by the first driver 710 may be larger than the displacement of the second lens module 500 in the optical axis C direction by the second driver 720.

As shown in fig. 2, the camera module 10 configured as described above may be configured in a thin and miniaturized form so as to be easily mounted on a portable terminal.

According to the current embodiment or embodiments, the camera module 10 may be configured to improve drivability and driving reliability of the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500. For example, the camera module 10 may be configured to minimize friction and friction noise generated when the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 are driven. Further, the camera module 10 may be configured such that the driving directions of the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 are constantly maintained.

The structure of the camera module 10 for achieving the above-described effects is described with reference to fig. 3A and 4C. First, a contact structure between the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 is described with reference to fig. 3A to 3E.

The camera module 10 may include a guide for smoothing the movement of the first lens module 400 in the optical axis direction. A guide may be provided on the housing 100 and configured to drive (ideally, linearly move) the first lens module 400. In one or more embodiments, the guide may be one of a ball bearing 352 or a rod member 354 or a combination of a ball bearing and a rod member disposed between the housing 100 and the first lens module 400.

As an example, as shown in fig. 3A, the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 may be configured to contact each other via the ball bearing 352 disposed between the guide groove 160 of the bottom portion 102 and the guide groove 460 of the first lens module 400. In this configuration, since the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 are in point contact with the ball bearing 352, frictional force and frictional noise generated when the first lens module 400 is driven can be minimized.

As another example, the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 may be configured to contact each other via a rod member 354 integrally formed on the bottom portion 102, as shown in fig. 3B. The rod member 354 may be formed to be elongated in the optical axis C direction and may be in line contact with the guide groove 460 of the first lens module 400. In this form, since the moving direction of the first lens module 400 is limited to the extending direction of the rod-like member 354 (i.e., the optical axis C direction), the driving direction of the first lens module 400 can be constantly maintained.

As another example, the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 may be configured to contact each other via a plurality of rod-shaped

members

354 and 356 and a ball bearing 352 integrally formed on the bottom portion 102, as shown in fig. 3C. The two rod-

like members

354 and 356 extend in the optical axis C direction, and are disposed at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the optical axis. The ball bearing 352 may be disposed between two rod-

like members

354 and 356.

In this form, the rod-

like members

354 and 356 and the ball bearing 352 may have a predetermined dimensional relationship. For example, the diameters Rd1 and Rd2 of

rod members

354 and 356 may be smaller than the diameter Bd of ball bearing 352. However, the diameters Rd1 and Rd2 of

rod members

354 and 356 need not be less than the diameter Bd of ball bearing 352. For example, the diameter Bd of the ball bearing 352 may be reduced within a range that does not cause contact between the bottom surface of the first lens module 400 and the rod-shaped

members

354 and 356. As another example, the distance G between the center of the rod member 354 and the center of the rod member 356 may be formed smaller than the diameter Bd of the ball bearing 352. Meanwhile, when the distance G between the center of the rod member 354 and the center of the rod member 356 is larger than the diameter Bd of the ball bearing 352, the ball bearing 352 may not contact the

rod members

354 and 356, and therefore, the above-described condition must be satisfied.

In the form of the configuration as described above, the driving friction force and the driving noise of the first lens module 400 can be reduced by the ball bearing 352 while the driving direction of the first lens module 400 is constantly maintained by the plurality of rod-shaped

members

354 and 356.

As another example, the housing 100 and the first lens module 400 may be configured to contact each other in a mixed form of fig. 3B and 3C, as shown in fig. 3D. In detail, a portion of the housing 100 and a portion of the first lens module 400 may contact each other in the form of fig. 3B, and another portion of the housing 100 and another portion of the first lens module 400 may contact each other in the form of fig. 3C. This form may present all the advantages according to fig. 3B and 3C. For reference, in the current embodiment or embodiments, the diameter Rd3 of rod member 358 may be greater than the diameters Rd1 and Rd2 of

rod members

354 and 356 and the diameter Bd of ball bearing 352.

Meanwhile, the camera module 10 may further include a member for maintaining a constant distance between the housing 100 and the first lens module 400. For example,

magnetic materials

180 and 480 may be disposed on bottom portion 102 of housing 100 and first lens module 400, respectively, as shown in fig. 3E.

Magnetic materials

180 and 480 may be configured such that an attractive force is operative. For example, one of

magnetic materials

180 and 480 may be configured in the form of a permanent magnet. According to this form, the first lens module 400 can be stably seated on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 without being detached from the housing 100 by the attractive force formed between the

magnetic materials

180 and 480.

Next, a contact structure between the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 is described with reference to fig. 4A to 4C.

The first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other through at least one of a ball bearing and a rod member.

As an example, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other via the ball bearing 350 disposed between the guide groove 452 of the support portion 450 and the guide groove 560 of the second lens module 500, as shown in fig. 4A. In this configuration, since the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 are always in point contact with the ball bearing 350, frictional force and frictional noise generated when the second lens module 500 is driven can be minimized.

As another example, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other via a rod-shaped member 351 integrally formed on the support portion 450, as shown in fig. 4B. The rod-shaped member 351 may be formed to be elongated in the optical axis C direction and may be in line contact with the guide groove 560 of the second lens module 500. In this form, since the moving direction of the second lens module 500 is limited to the extending direction of the rod-shaped member 351 (i.e., the optical axis C direction), the driving direction of the second lens module 500 can be constantly maintained.

As another example, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other via the plurality of rod-shaped members 351 and the ball bearings 350. The two rod-like members 351 may extend in the optical axis C direction and be disposed at predetermined intervals in a direction intersecting the optical axis. Ball support 350 may be disposed between two rod-like members 351.

In this form, the driving frictional force and driving noise of the second lens module 500 may be reduced by the ball bearing 350 while the constant driving direction of the second lens module 500 is constantly maintained by the plurality of rod-shaped members 351.

The camera module 10 may further include a means for maintaining a constant distance between the housing 100 and the second lens module 500. For example, the

magnetic materials

182 and 580 may be disposed on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 and the second lens module 500, respectively, as shown in fig. 4C. The

magnetic materials

182 and 580 may be configured to have an attractive force. For example, one of the

magnetic materials

182 and 580 may be configured in the form of a permanent magnet. According to this form, the second lens module 500 can be stably seated on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 without being detached from the housing 100 by the attractive force formed between the

magnetic materials

182 and 580. For reference, the magnetic material 182 may be integrally formed with the aforementioned magnetic material 180.

In accordance with one or more of the present embodiments, the camera module 10 may be configured to enable auto-focus and zoom. For example, the camera module 10 may perform auto-focusing by integrally driving the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500. As another example, the camera module 10 may perform zooming by moving the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 in different sizes. Hereinafter, specific operation examples of the camera module are described with reference to fig. 5A to 5C.

The camera module 10 may be configured to be capable of auto-focusing. For example, the focus of the camera module 10 may be adjusted by moving the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 from the state shown in fig. 5A to the state shown in fig. 5B. The movement displacement X1 of the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 may vary according to the distance between the camera module 10 and the object.

During auto-focusing of the camera module 10, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be driven by the first driver 710. In detail, the first lens module 400 may be moved in the optical axis C direction by a driving force generated between the first driving magnet 712 disposed in the first lens module 400 and the first driving coil 714 disposed on one side of the housing 100. In contrast, the second lens module 500 may move without a separate driving force. For example, the second lens module 500 may be integrally moved together with the first lens module 400 while being supported by the support portion 450 of the first lens module 400. Therefore, even during auto-focusing of the camera module 10, the optical axis of the first lens module 400 and the optical axis of the second lens module 500 may be constantly maintained.

The camera module 10 may be configured to enable zooming. For example, zooming of the camera module 10 may be performed by moving the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 from the state shown in fig. 5A to the state shown in fig. 5C. The movement displacements X1 and X2 of the first and

second lens modules

When zooming of the camera module 10 is performed, the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 may be sequentially driven by the first and

second drivers

710 and 720. In detail, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may be integrally moved by the first driver 710. Thereafter, when determining the moving position of the first lens module 400, the second lens module 500 may be moved by a predetermined size on the support portion 450 of the first lens module 400 by the second driver 720.

When zooming of the camera module 10 is performed, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 may move by different sizes. For example, the first lens module 400 may be moved by a predetermined displacement X1 by the first driver 710, and the second lens module 500 may be moved by the sum of a displacement X1 moved by the first driver 710 and a displacement X2 directly moved by the second driver 720.

As described above, the driving forms of the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 may improve the driving reliability of the camera module 10. For example, in the camera module 10, according to the current embodiment or embodiments, the second lens module 500 moves on the support part 450 of the first lens module 400, and thus, the first lens module 400 and the second lens module 500 can be easily aligned. As another example, in the camera module 10, according to the one or more embodiments, driving of the second lens module 500 having a relatively large displacement is separated by the first driver 710 and the second driver 720, and thus, driving deviation that may be caused when driving is performed by a single driver may be minimized.

According to one or more of the present embodiments, the camera module may be modified into other shapes as needed.

As an example, the camera module 10a may further include a third lens module 600, as shown in fig. 6. The third lens module 600 may be disposed in front (object side) of the first lens module 400. However, the position of the third lens module 600 is not limited to the front of the first lens module 400. The third lens module 600 may be configured not to move in the inner space of the housing 100. In detail, unlike the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500, the third lens module 600 may not be driven in the optical axis C direction. However, the position of the third lens module 600 is not necessarily fixed. For example, the camera module 10a may further include a separate driver for driving the third lens module 600 in the optical axis C direction.

The camera module 10a configured as described above can improve variation in focusing ability of the plurality of

lens modules

400, 500, and 600.

As another example, the camera module 10b may further include a light-path converter 300 as shown in fig. 7 and 8. The light-path converter 300 may be disposed in front (object side) of the first lens module 400. However, the position of the light-path converter 300 is not limited to the front of the first lens module 400. For example, the light-path converter 300 may be disposed at the rear (imaging surface side) of the second lens module 500. The light-path converter 300 may reflect or refract light incident in the first optical axis C1 direction in the second optical axis C2 direction.

In the camera module 10b configured as described above, since the plurality of

lens modules

400 and 500 may be arranged in a direction intersecting the incident light (i.e., the first optical axis C1), the camera module 10b may be easily mounted in a slim type mobile terminal.

Next, another example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments is described with reference to fig. 9 to 13.

The camera module 12 according to one or more of the present embodiments may include a housing 100, a first lens module 400, a second lens module 500, and a third lens module 600. However, the components of the camera module 12 are not limited thereto. For example, the camera module 12 may further include a substrate member 200(210 and 220) and a driver 700(710, 720, and 730). As another example, the camera module 12 may further include an image sensor (not shown) disposed at an image forming side of the first, second, and

third lens modules

400, 500, and 600

The case 100 may be formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. However, the shape of the case 100 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped. The case 100 may be configured such that the other portion than one surface is opened. For example, the case 100 may be formed such that all four

side surfaces

The housing 100 may be configured to accommodate the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. For example, in the inner space 110 of the housing 100, the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the housing 100. The inner space 110 of the housing 100 may be formed to have a considerable size. For example, the inner space 110 of the housing 100 may be formed in a size that allows the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 to be driven.

The substrate member 200 may be configured in plurality. For example, the substrate member 200 may include a first substrate 210 and a second substrate 220. However, the substrate member 200 does not necessarily include a plurality of substrates. For example, the substrate member 200 may be disposed such that the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220 are connected to each other. The substrate member 200 may be configured in a soft or hard form. The base member 200 may be configured to house some components of the driver 700. A portion of the driver 700, for example, the drive coils 714 and 724, may be disposed on the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220, respectively.

The second lens module 500 may be disposed in the internal space 110 of the housing 100 and may be configured to move along the optical axis C within the internal space 110 of the housing 100. In detail, the second lens module 500 may be configured to move along the optical axis C on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to refract incident light. For example, the second lens module 500 may include the second lens group LG 2. The second lens group LG2 may include one or more lenses having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. For example, the second lens group LG2 may include a lens having a positive refractive power and a lens having a negative refractive power. However, the number and type of lenses constituting the second lens group LG2 are not limited to the above. For example, the second lens group LG2 may include a single lens having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to support the first lens module 400 and the third lens module 600. For example, a first support part 540 on which the first lens module 400 may be disposed may be formed on one side of the second lens module 500, and a second support part 560 on which the third lens module 600 may be disposed may be formed on the other side of the second lens module 500.

The first support part 540 may be configured to support a bottom surface of the first lens module 400. For example, the first support part 540 may be configured to extend forward from both sides of the second lens module 500 to support left and right bottom surfaces of the first lens module 400. The first support part 540 may be formed to have a significant length. For example, the length SL1 of the first support part 540 may be equal to or greater than the sum (M1L + Xm1) of the length M1L of the first lens module 400 and the driving displacement Xm1 of the first lens module 400.

A unit for facilitating driving of the first lens module 400 may be formed or disposed on the first support part 540. For example, the first guide groove 542 may be formed in the first supporting part 540 along the optical axis C direction, and the ball bearing 340 may be disposed in the first guide groove 542. Accordingly, the first lens module 400 can be rapidly and smoothly moved on the first support part 540 via the ball bearings 340 disposed in the first guide grooves 542.

The second support portion 560 may be configured to support a bottom surface of the third lens module 600. For example, the second support portion 560 may be configured to extend backward from both sides of the second lens module 500 to support left and right bottom surfaces of the third lens module 600. The second support portion 560 may be formed to have a significant length. For example, the length SL2 of the second support part 560 may be greater than the length M3L of the third lens module 600. As another example, the length SL2 of the second support portion 560 may be equal to or greater than the sum (M3L + Xm3) of the length M3L of the third lens module 600 and the driving displacement Xm3 of the third lens module 600.

Means for facilitating driving of the third lens module 600 may be formed or provided on the second support portion 560. For example, second guide grooves 562 may be formed in the second bearing part 560 in the optical axis C direction, and the ball bearings 350 may be disposed in the second guide grooves 562. Accordingly, the third lens module 600 can be rapidly and smoothly moved on the second support portion 560 via the ball bearings 350 disposed in the second guide grooves 562.

The third lens module 600 may be configured to form an image on an image sensor or an imaging plane using light incident through the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500. The third lens module 600 may include a third lens group LG 3. The third lens group LG3 may include one or more lenses having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power. For example, the third lens group LG3 may include a lens having a positive refractive power and a lens having a negative refractive power. However, the number and type of lenses constituting the third lens group LG3 are not limited to the above. For example, the third lens group LG3 may include a single lens having a positive refractive power or a negative refractive power.

The first lens module 400 and the third lens module 600 may be configured to be driven on the second lens module 500, as shown in fig. 11. For example, the first lens module 400 may be moved in the optical axis C direction on the first support part 540 via the ball bearings 340 disposed between the first guide grooves 542 and the guide grooves 432, and the third lens module 600 may be moved in the optical axis C direction on the second support part 560 by the ball bearings 350 disposed between the second guide grooves 562 and the guide grooves 632. The

guide grooves

432, 542, 562, and 632 may be formed to stably contact the

ball bearings

340 and 350. For example, guide

grooves

432, 542, 562, and 632 may have a triangular cross-sectional shape to contact

ball bearings

340 and 350 at least two points. However, the sectional shape of the

guide grooves

432, 542, 562 and 632 is not limited to the triangle. For example, the cross-sections of the first and

second guide grooves

542 and 562, in which the

ball bearings

340 and 350 are received, may be formed in a quadrangular shape.

The driver 700 may be configured to drive the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. For example, a first driver 710 may be configured to drive the first lens module 400, a second driver 720 may be configured to drive the second lens module 500, and a third driver 730 may be configured to drive the third lens module 600. The driver 700 may include a driving magnet and a driving coil. For example, the first driver 710 includes a first drive magnet 712 and a first drive coil 714, the second driver 720 may include a second drive magnet 722 and a second drive coil 724, and the third driver 730 may include a third drive magnet 732 and a third drive coil 734.

The driver 700 may be disposed on each of the substrate member 200 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. For example, the first to third driving magnets 712 to 732 may be disposed in the first to third lens modules 400 to 600, respectively, the first and third driving coils 714 and 734 may be disposed on the second substrate 220, and the second driving coil 724 may be disposed on the first substrate 210.

The first driver 710 and the third driver 730 may be disposed on different side surfaces from the second driver 720 based on the optical axis C. For example, the first driver 710 and the third driver 730 may be disposed on the third side surface 105 of the case 100, and the second driver 720 may be disposed on the second side surface 104 of the case 100.

The first driver 710 to the third driver 730 may be configured to have different driving displacements. For example, the number of the second driving coils 724 (5 in fig. 9) formed on the first substrate 210 may be larger than the number of the first driving coils 714 (2 in fig. 9) formed on the second substrate 220 and the number of the third driving coils 734 (3 in fig. 9) formed on the second substrate 220. As another example, the formation region DW2 of the second driving coil 724 formed on the first substrate 210 may be larger than the formation regions DW1 of the first driving coil 714 formed on the second substrate 220 and DW3 of the third driving coil 734 formed on the second substrate 220.

As shown in fig. 10, the camera module 12 configured as described above may be configured in a thin and miniaturized form so as to be easily mounted on a portable terminal.

Next, a driving structure of the second lens module 500 in the housing 100 is described with reference to fig. 12A to 12E.

The second lens module 500 may be driven on the housing 100 by at least one of a ball bearing and a rod member.

As an example, as shown in fig. 12A, the housing 100 and the second lens module 500 may contact each other via a ball bearing 352 disposed between the guide groove 160 of the bottom portion 102 and the guide groove 510 of the second lens module 500. Since the housing 100 and the second lens module 500 are always in point contact with the ball bearing 352, frictional force and frictional noise generated when the second lens module 500 is driven can be minimized.

As another example, the housing 100 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other via a rod member 354 integrally formed on the bottom portion 102, as shown in fig. 12B. The rod-shaped member 354 may be formed to be elongated in the optical axis C direction and may be in line contact with the guide groove 510 of the second lens module 500. In this form, since the moving direction of the second lens module 500 is limited to the extending direction of the rod-like member 354 (i.e., the optical axis C direction), the driving direction of the second lens module 500 can be constantly maintained.

As another example, the housing 100 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other via a plurality of rod-shaped

members

354 and 356 and a ball bearing 352 integrally formed on the bottom portion 102, as shown in fig. 12C. The two rod-

like members

354 and 356.

In this form, the rod-

like members

rod members

354 and 356 need not be less than the diameter Bd of ball bearing 352. For example, the diameter Bd of the ball bearing 352 may be reduced within a range that does not cause contact between the bottom surface of the second lens module 500 and the

rod members

354 and 356, and therefore, the above-described condition must be satisfied.

In the form of the configuration as described above, the driving friction force and the driving noise of the second lens module 500 can be reduced by the ball bearing 352 while the driving direction of the second lens module 500 is constantly maintained by the plurality of rod-shaped

members

354 and 356.

As another example, the housing 100 and the second lens module 500 may be configured to contact each other in a mixed form of fig. 12B and 12C, as shown in fig. 12D. In detail, a portion of the housing 100 and a portion of the second lens module 500 may contact each other in the form of fig. 12B, and another portion of the housing 100 and another portion of the second lens module 500 may contact each other in the form of fig. 12C. This form can exhibit all the advantages according to fig. 12B and 12C. For reference, in the current embodiment or embodiments, diameter Rd3 of rod member 358 may be greater than diameters Rd1 and Rd2 of

rod members

354 and 356 and diameter Bd of ball bearing 352.

Meanwhile, the camera module 12 may further include a member for maintaining a constant distance between the housing 100 and the second lens module 500. For example, the

magnetic materials

180 and 580 may be disposed on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 and the second lens module 500, respectively, as shown in fig. 12E.

Magnetic materials

180 and 580 may be configured such that an attractive force is operative. For example, one of the

magnetic materials

180 and 580 may be configured in the form of a permanent magnet. According to this form, the second lens module 500 can be stably seated on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 without being detached from the housing 100 by the attractive force formed between the

magnetic materials

180 and 580.

The camera module 12 may be modified in other forms according to one or more of the present embodiments. For example, the camera module 12 may further include a light-path converter 300, as shown in fig. 13. Meanwhile, although the form shown in fig. 13 includes one light-path converter 300, the camera module 12 may further include a light-path converter disposed behind the third lens module 600, if necessary.

Next, another example of a camera module according to one or more embodiments is described with reference to fig. 14A to 25. For reference, it should be noted in advance that components related to the current embodiment or embodiments may be described as different from reference numerals according to the embodiment or embodiments described above, regardless of whether the components are the same as those of the embodiment or embodiments described above.

According to one or more embodiments, the camera module 14 may include a housing 100, a substrate module 200, a light path conversion module 300, and

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. However, the components of the camera module 14 are not limited thereto. For example, the camera module 14 may further include a driver 700, an optical axis aligner 800, and a shielding member 900.

The housing 100 may be configured to accommodate the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. For example, the housing 100 may form an inner space accommodating the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 by the bottom portion 102 and the plurality of

side portions

103, 104, 105, and 106.

The housing 100 may be formed to facilitate the arrangement of the driver 700. For example,

openings

110, 130, and 140 may be formed in

side portions

104 and 105 of housing 100 so that some components (drive coils) of driver 700 may be provided.

A unit for suppressing the detachment of the light path conversion module 300 may be provided in the housing 100. For example, a magnet member 760 configured to suppress detachment of the light path conversion module 300 may be provided at the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100. The magnet member 760 may apply an attractive force to the yoke of the light path conversion module 300 through the opening 160 formed at the bottom portion 102. A magnetic material (not shown) for maintaining the stationary state of the light path conversion module 300 may be provided on the front portion 103 of the housing 100 away from the magnet member 760. The magnetic material may constantly maintain the position of the light path conversion module 300 by interacting with the actuator or the yoke of the light path conversion module 300.

The case 100 may include a component for projecting light refracted through the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 to an image sensor module (not shown). For example, a window 190 through which light can pass may be formed in the rear portion 106 of the housing 100. For reference, although not shown in fig. 14A, a filter member for blocking light of a specific wavelength may be disposed on the window 190. For example, the filter member may be configured to block infrared rays. However, the wavelength blocked by the filter member is not limited to infrared rays.

The housing 100 may include a member for facilitating the movement of the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 in one direction. For example, a groove 180 for arranging the friction reducer may be formed in the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100. The friction reducer may be configured to reduce frictional resistance between the housing 100 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. For example, the friction reducer may be configured in the form of a ball bearing. However, the form of the friction reducer is not limited to the ball bearing.

The housing 100 may include a member for maintaining a constant distance between the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. For example, the

support members

152 and 154 may be formed within the housing 100. The

support members

152 and 154 may be disposed between the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 and maintain a constant distance between the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600.

The substrate module 200 may be disposed in the case 100. For example, the substrate module 200 may be disposed to surround the opening 160 of the bottom portion 102 and the

side surface portions

104 and 105 of the housing 100. However, the arrangement of the substrate module 200 is not limited thereto.

The substrate module 200 may include a plurality of substrates. For example, the substrate module 200 may include a first substrate 210, a second substrate 220, and a third substrate 230. However, the number of substrates constituting the substrate module 200 is not limited to three.

The first substrate 210 may be disposed on the side surface portion 104 of the case 100. For example, the first substrate 210 may be provided to close the opening 130 of the side surface portion 104. Some components of the driver 700 may be disposed on the first substrate 210. For example, the driving coils 714, 724, and 734 of the driver 700 may be disposed on the first substrate 210. However, the components provided on the first substrate 210 are not limited to the driving coils 714, 724, and 734. For example, a passive element, the detection sensor 280, and the like may be further disposed on the first substrate 210. The first substrate 210 may be configured to connect to other electronic components or other components. For example, the first substrate 210 may be disposed on the side surface portion 104 of the case 100 and extend to the outside of the side surface portion 104.

The second substrate 220 may be disposed on the side surface portion 105 of the case 100. For example, the second substrate 220 may be provided to close the opening 140 of the side surface part 105. Some components of the driver 700 may be disposed on the second substrate 220. For example, the driving coils 714, 724, and 744 of the driver 700 may be disposed on the second substrate 220. However, the components provided on the second substrate 220 are not limited to the driving coils 714, 724, and 744. For example, the driving IC 212, the passive element, the detection sensor 290, and the like may be further disposed on the second substrate 220. The second substrate 220 may be configured to be connected to other electronic components or other components. For example, the second substrate 220 may be disposed on the side surface portion 105 of the case 100 and extend to the outside of the side surface portion 105.

The third substrate 230 may be disposed on the bottom portion 102 of the case 100. For example, the third substrate 230 may be configured to close the opening 160 of the bottom portion 102. Components necessary to support the light path conversion module 300 may be disposed on the third substrate 230. For example, the magnet member 760 may be disposed on the third substrate 230. The magnet member 760 may generate a magnetic force that attracts the light path conversion module 300 to the inside of the case 100. For reference, according to the current embodiment or embodiments, the magnet member 760 may be changed to a magnetic material or the like.

The first through third substrates 210 through 230 may be configured to be bendable. For example, the first to third substrates 210 to 230 may be configured in the form of flexible substrates. The first to third substrates 210 to 230 may be integrally formed. For example, the first to third substrates 210 to 230 may be connected as one without being disconnected.

The substrate module 200 may include components that connect the electronic components disposed on the first to third substrates 210 to 230 to an image sensor module or an external device. For example, the substrate module 200 may include the connection terminal 260. The connection terminal 260 may be formed on at least one of the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220.

The optical path conversion module 300 may be configured to convert the path of light incident on the camera module 14. For example, the optical path conversion module 300 may be configured to refract or reflect a path of light incident along the first optical axis C1 in the direction of the second optical axis C2. The light path conversion module 300 may be disposed in the housing 100. For example, the light path conversion module 300 may be disposed in a space between the front portion 103 and the support member 152.

The optical path conversion module 300 may be configured to achieve image stabilization. For example, the optical path conversion module 300 may be rotated by the first driver 710(712 and 714) and the second driver 720(722 and 724). For reference, a specific configuration of the optical path conversion module 300 is described again with reference to fig. 16.

The

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 may be configured in plurality. For example, the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 may include a first lens module 400, a second lens module 500, and a third lens module 600. However, the number of lens modules is not limited to three.

The

lens modules

400, 500 and 600 are configured to form an image on the image sensor module using light incident on the camera module 14. For example, the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 may include one or more lenses having optical power.

The

lens modules

400, 500, and 600 may be configured to be movable in the direction of the second optical axis C2. For example, one or more of the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be moved in the second optical axis C2 direction to enable the camera module 14 to perform Auto Focus (AF) or zoom. However, not all of the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 are configured to be movable in the direction of the second optical axis C2. For example, the first lens module 400 may be configured to maintain a constant position regardless of the autofocus and zoom operations of the camera module 14.

The second and

third lens modules

500 and 600 may be moved in the second optical axis C2 direction by the third and fourth drivers 730 and 740. For example, the second lens module 500 may be driven by the third driver 730(732 and 734), and the third lens module 600 may be driven by the fourth driver 740(742 and 744). The second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 may be driven in different sizes. For example, a displacement magnitude in which the second lens module 500 is movable in the second optical axis C2 direction may be different from a displacement magnitude in which the third lens module 600 is movable in the second optical axis C2 direction.

The second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 may be configured to move together in a predetermined section. For example, the third lens module 600 may be configured to be mounted on the second lens module 500, and when the second lens module 500 is driven, the third lens module 600 may move in the second optical axis C2 direction.

The third lens module 600 may be driven on the second lens module 500. For example, the third lens module 600 may be moved in the second optical axis C2 direction on the second lens module 500 by the fourth driver 740. The driving of the third lens module 600 may be performed regardless of the driving of the second lens module 500. For example, the third lens module 600 may be independently driven regardless of the driving state or driving direction of the second lens module 500.

The driver 700 may be configured to drive the light path conversion module 300 and the

lens modules

400, 500, and 600. For example, the first and

second drivers

710 and 720 may drive the optical path conversion module 300, and the third and fourth drivers 730 and 740 may drive the second and

third lens modules

500 and 600.

The driver 700 may include a driving magnet and a driving coil. For example, the first driver 710 may include a first drive magnet 712 and a first drive coil 714, the second driver 720 may include a second drive magnet 722 and a second drive coil 724, the third driver 730 may include a third drive magnet 732 and a third drive coil 734, and the fourth driver 740 may include a fourth drive magnet 742 and a fourth drive coil 744.

The optical axis aligner 800 may be configured to achieve optical axis alignment of the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. For example, the optical axis aligner 800 may be configured to simultaneously contact the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 to match the optical axes of the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 with each other. The optical axis aligner 800 may include one or more optical

axis aligning members

810 and 820 extending in the direction of the second optical axis C2. For example, the optical axis aligner 800 may include a first optical axis aligning member 810 and a second optical axis aligning member 820.

The first optical axis aligning member 810 and the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be configured in a bar shape. However, the shapes of the first optical axis aligning member 810 and the second optical axis aligning member 820 are not limited to the rod. For example, the first and second optical

axis alignment members

810 and 820 may be transformed into a groove shape engraved on the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100 or a protrusion shape embossed on the bottom portion 102.

The first optical axis aligning member 810 and the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be configured to have different lengths. For example, the first optical axis aligning member 810 may be formed to be longer than the second optical axis aligning member 820. In detail, the first optical axis aligning member 810 may be formed to have a length corresponding to the driving displacement of the first to third lens modules 400 to 600, and the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be formed to have a length corresponding to the driving displacement of the second and

third lens modules

500 and 600. The above-described form can simplify the contact structure with a relatively small movement displacement between the first lens module 400 and the optical

axis aligning members

810 and 820. In detail, according to the above form, the first lens module 400 may be in contact with the first optical axis aligning member 810 and not in contact with the second optical axis aligning member 820. However, the lengths of the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 do not have to be different.

The first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 may be integrally formed in the housing 100. For example, the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 may be integrally formed in the housing 100 by insert injection molding or double injection molding. Accordingly, the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 in contact with the first and second optical

axis alignment members

810 and 820 may be arranged to always match the central axis of the housing 100. As another example, a portion of each of the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 may be configured to be exposed through the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100. For example, a portion of each of the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 may be configured to be embedded in the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100, and the other remaining portion may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the bottom portion 102.

The first optical axis aligning member 810 and the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be configured to contact the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. For example, the first optical axis aligning member 810 may be configured to directly or indirectly contact the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. Also, the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be configured to directly or indirectly contact the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600.

The first and second optical

axis alignment members

810 and 820 may be configured to minimize contact friction between them and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. For example, the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820 may be configured to be in line contact or point contact with the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. As a specific example, the first optical axis aligning member 810 may be configured to be in line contact with the first lens module 400, and the first optical axis aligning member 810 and the second optical axis aligning member 820 may be configured to be in point contact with the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600. For reference, specific contact forms between the first and second optical

axis alignment members

810 and 820 and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 are described again with reference to fig. 20 to 22.

The shielding member 900 may be configured to close the open space of the case 100. For example, the shielding member 900 may be configured to cover an open upper portion of the case 100. The shielding member 900 may be configured to protect the substrate module 200, the light path conversion module 300 disposed in the housing 100, and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600. As an example, the shielding member 900 is formed of metal or other impact-resistant material, and thus the shielding member 900 may protect the substrate module 200, the light path conversion module 300, and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 from external impact. As another example, the shielding member 900 may be formed of a material that does not allow electromagnetic waves to transmit therethrough, thereby protecting the substrate module 200, the optical path conversion module 300, and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 from external electromagnetic waves. The shielding member 900 may be configured to allow light to enter. For example, the light entrance window 910 may be formed on one side of the shielding member 900. The light entrance window 910 may be formed in a position matching the first optical axis C1 of the optical path conversion module 300.

Hereinafter, the optical path conversion module is described with reference to fig. 15 and 16.

The optical path conversion module 300 is configured to convert an optical path. For example, the optical path conversion module 300 may refract or reflect a path of light incident along the first optical axis C1 in the direction of the second optical axis C2.

As shown in fig. 15, the light path conversion module 300 may include a movable member 310, a light path conversion member 320, and a support member 340. However, the components of the optical path conversion module 300 are not limited to the above-described members. For example, the light path conversion module 300 may further include

ball bearings

350, 352, 360, and 362, a magnet member 370, a fixing member 380, and the like.

The movable member 310 may be configured to receive the light path conversion member 320. For example, a mounting portion 312 to which the light path conversion member 320 may be mounted may be formed on one side of the movable member 310. The movable member 310 may be configured to house some components of the driver 700. For example, the receiving portions 314, in which the first and second driving magnets 712 and 72 may be disposed, may be formed on both sides of the movable member 310. A plurality of

recesses

315, 316, and 317 may be formed on the rear surface of the movable member 310. The

ball bearings

350 and 352 may be disposed in the first recess 315 and the second recess 316, respectively, and the yoke or magnet member 370 may be disposed in the third recess 317. The first and

second recesses

315 and 316 may be configured to smoothly rotate or roll the

ball bearings

350 and 352. For example, the first recess 315 may be formed in a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape, and the second recess 316 may be formed in a truncated hexagonal pyramid shape. However, the shapes of the first recess 315 and the second recess 316 are not limited to the rectangular pyramid and the truncated hexagonal pyramid.

The support member 340 may support the movable member 310 to enable the movable member 310 to perform the first rotational motion. For example, the support member 340 may support the movable member 310 via

ball bearings

350 and 352. The support member 340 may be configured to enable a second rotational movement relative to the front portion 103 of the housing 100. For example, the bearing member 340 may be disposed on the front portion 103 of the housing 100 via

ball bearings

360 and 362.

Recesses

345 and 346 for receiving the

ball bearings

360 and 362 may be formed on one surface of the bearing member 340. The first and

second recesses

345, 346 may be configured to smoothly rotate or roll the

ball bearings

360 and 362. For example, the first concave portion 345 may be formed in a substantially truncated hexagonal pyramid shape, and the second concave portion 346 may be formed in a four-pyramid shape. However, the shapes of the first and

second recesses

345 and 346 are not limited to the truncated hexagonal pyramid and the quadrangular pyramid.

The opening 347 may be formed in the support member 340. The opening 347 may expose the magnet member 370 provided on the movable member 310 outward to enable an interaction (attractive force) between the magnet member 370 and a yoke member provided on the front portion 103 of the housing 100. The attractive force generated between the magnet member 370 and the yoke member alleviates the phenomenon that the light path conversion module 300 is separated from the housing 100 or the position of the light path conversion module 300 in the housing 100 is changed.

The optical path conversion module 300 configured as described above may be configured to perform an image stabilization function. As an example, the optical path conversion module 300 may be rotated about a first rotation axis (P1: a virtual line connecting the centers of the ball bearings 350 and 352) by the first driver 710 to perform an image stabilization function according to one or more embodiments. As another example, the optical path conversion module 300 may be rotated about a second rotation axis (P2: a virtual line connecting centers of the ball bearings 360 and 362) by the second driver 720 to perform an image stabilization function according to one or more embodiments.

Hereinafter, the first to third lens modules are described with reference to fig. 17 to 18B.

The first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be sequentially disposed along the second optical axis C2 direction. For example, the first lens module 400 may be disposed at the forefront (object side), the second lens module 500 may be disposed between the first lens module 400 and the third lens module 600, and the third lens module 600 may be disposed at the rearmost (image sensor side).

The first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be configured to include one or more lenses. For example, the first lens module 400 may be configured to include one or two or more lenses, the second lens module 500 may be configured to include two or three or more lenses, and the third lens module 600 may be configured to include two or more lenses. However, the number of lenses constituting the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 is not limited thereto.

The first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be arranged such that their optical axes pass through the optical axis aligner 800: 810 and 820 match each other. For example, the first lens module 400 may be configured to be positionally aligned by the first optical axis alignment member 810, and the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 may be configured to be aligned on the optical axis by the first optical axis alignment member and the second optical axis alignment member 820.

As described above, the first lens module 400 may be disposed foremost and may be configured not to move in general. However, the first lens module 400 is not always kept in a stationary state. For example, the first lens module 400 may be driven in the second optical axis C2 direction, if necessary. The first lens module 400 may be configured to be positionally aligned by the first optical axis alignment member 810. For example, the position of the first lens module 400 may be aligned by contacting with the first optical axis alignment member 810.

The first lens module 400 may be configured to be in line contact with the first optical axis alignment member 810. For example, a guide groove 460 having a triangular sectional shape may be formed in the first lens module 400 to be in line contact with the first optical axis alignment member 810 having a spherical section. The guide groove 460 may extend in the second optical axis C2 direction, and may be in line contact with the first optical axis alignment member 810 at least two points.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to house some components of the driver 700. For example, the second lens module 500 may be configured to house the third driver magnet 732. The third driving magnet 732 may be disposed at one side of the second lens module 500. For example, the third driving magnet 732 may be disposed in the receiving part 510 formed on one side of the second lens module 500.

The second lens module 500 may include a bumper 520 and a yoke member 530. The buffer 520 and the yoke member 530 may be sequentially disposed in the receiving portion 510 of the second lens module 500. Damper 520 may include a support plate 522 and a damping member 524.

The support plate 522 may be coupled to the receiving portion 510 in an interference fit. For example, the support plate 522 may be fixedly secured to the inside of the receiving portion 510 by bent portions 522a, and the bent portions 522a are bent to be in contact with upper and lower portions of the receiving portion 510. The support plate 522 may provide an arrangement space for the buffering member 524. For example, the bent portions 522a, in which the buffering member 524 may be disposed, may be formed in front and rear of the support plate 522. The support plate 522 may be configured to be lightweight. For example, a plurality of holes may be formed in the support plate 522. For reference, although 8 holes are formed in the support plate 522 shown in fig. 18A, holes may be additionally formed within a range that does not reduce the rigidity of the support plate 522.

A buffering member 524 may be formed in each of the

bent portions

522b and 522c of the support plate 522. The buffering member 524 is formed to protrude toward each of the first lens module 400 and the third lens module 600 and absorbs an impact between the second lens module 500 and the first lens module 400 and an impact between the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600. Cushioning members 524 may be formed from a material that readily absorbs impacts. For example, cushioning members 524 may be formed from a material such as rubber. However, the material of cushioning members 524 is not limited to rubber.

The yoke member 530 may be disposed in the receiving portion 510. The yoke member 530 may be configured to have substantially the same cross-sectional area as the third driving magnet 732.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to support the third lens module 600. For example, the second lens module 500 may include a support part 540 supporting the third lens module 600. The supporting portion 540 may extend in the direction of the second optical axis C2. The supporting part 540 may have a member capable of linearly moving the third lens module 600. For example, the supporting part 540 may include a guide groove 542 extending in the direction of the second optical axis C2. A ball bearing 546 for smoothly driving the third lens module 600 may be disposed in the guide groove 542. The ball support 546 may be disposed between the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600. In detail, the ball bearing 546 may be disposed between the guide groove 542 of the second lens module 500 and the guide groove 642 of the third lens module 600.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to be drivable in the direction of the second optical axis C2. For example, the second lens module 500 may be moved along the second optical axis C2 by a driving force generated between the third driving magnet 732 and the third driving coil 734.

The camera module 14 may include a component capable of performing optical axis alignment and linear movement of the second lens module 500. For example, the second lens module 500 may include a first guide groove 560 and a second guide groove 570 extending parallel to the second optical axis C2. The first and

second guide grooves

560 and 570 may be formed on the bottom surfaces of the first and second supporting

parts

540a and 540b, respectively. For example, the first guide groove 560 may be formed at the first supporting part 540a, and the second guide groove 570 may be formed at the second supporting part 540 b.

Ball bearings

562 and 572 for smoothly driving the second lens module 500 may be disposed in the first guide groove 560 and the second guide groove 570, respectively.

The second lens module 500 may be disposed to match the optical axis of the first lens module 400. For example, the second lens module 500 may be aligned to match the optical axis of the first lens module 400 via a ball bearing 562 that makes point contact with each of the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820. In detail, since the ball bearings 562 are always in point contact with the first guide grooves 560 and the optical

axis aligning members

810 and 820 at two points, the position of the second lens module 500 with respect to the optical

axis aligning members

810 and 820 can be constantly maintained.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to move with minimal contact with the bottom portion 102 of the housing 100. For example, the second lens module 5000 can be freely moved even without a large driving force within the housing 100 by the ball bearing 572 provided between the second guide groove 570 and the groove 180 of the bottom part 102.

The second lens module 500 may include a member for maintaining a constant distance from the housing 100. For example, the bottom surface of the second lens module 500 may include a magnetic material 580 (refer to fig. 22) configured to interact with the magnetic material 182 of the housing 100. The magnetic material 580 forms an attractive force with the magnetic material 182 of the housing 100 to reduce the separation of the second lens module 500 from the housing 100.

The third lens module 600 may be configured to accommodate some components of the driver 700. For example, the fourth driving magnet 742 may be disposed in the receiving portion 610 formed on one side of the third lens module 600. The receiving portion 610 of the third lens module 600 may be formed to substantially face the receiving portion 510 of the second lens module 500 based on the second optical axis C2. For example, the receiving portion 610 of the third lens module 600 and the receiving portion 510 of the second lens module 500 may be formed at substantially symmetrical positions with respect to the second optical axis C2. As another example, the receiving portion 510 of the second lens module 500 may extend from the first side surface of the second lens module 500 toward the first side surface or the image sensor side of the third lens module 600, and the receiving portion 610 of the third lens module 600 may extend from the second side surface of the third lens module 600 toward the second side surface or the object side of the second lens module 500.

The lengths (in the direction of the second optical axis C2) of the

accommodation parts

510 and 610 may be formed to have a size substantially proportional to the driving displacement of the

lens modules

500 and 600. For example, the receiving portion 510 may be formed to have a size (length) proportional to the driving displacement of the second lens module 500, and the receiving portion 610 may be formed to have a size (length) proportional to the driving displacement of the third lens module 600. However, the lengths of the receiving

portions

510 and 610 are not necessarily proportional to the driving displacement of the

lens modules

500 and 600. For example, the receiving portion 510 may be formed to have a length smaller than the driving displacement of the second lens module 500. The receiving

portions

510 and 610 may be formed not to interfere with other adjacent members. For example, the receiving portion 510 may be formed to extend to an end of the third lens module 600 so as not to interfere with an image sensor (not shown) disposed behind the third lens module 600, and the receiving portion 610 may be formed to extend to a front end of the second lens module 500 so as not to interfere with the first lens module 400 disposed in front of the second lens module 500.

In the camera module 14 including the above-described forms of the

accommodation portions

510 and 610, the drivers 700 may be distributively disposed in the left and right lateral spaces of the

lens modules

500 and 600, and therefore, the size and thickness of the camera module 14 may be reduced, and the length of the camera module 14 in the optical axis direction may be reduced.

The third lens module 600 may include a bumper 620 and a yoke member 630. The buffer 620 and the yoke member 630 may be sequentially disposed in the receiving portion 610 of the third lens module 600. Damper 620 may include a support plate 622 and a damping member 624.

The support plate 622 may be coupled to the receiving portion 610 in an interference fit. For example, the support plate 622 may be firmly fixed to the inside of the receiving portion 610 by a bent portion 622a bent to be in contact with the upper and lower portions of the receiving portion 610.

The support plate 622 may provide an arrangement space for the buffer member 624. For example, bent portions 622a, in which the buffering member 624 may be disposed, may be formed in front and rear of the support plate 622. The support plate 622 may be configured to be lightweight. For example, a plurality of holes may be formed in the support plate 622. For reference, although 8 holes are formed in the support plate 622 shown in fig. 18A, additional holes may be formed within a range that does not reduce the rigidity of the support plate 622.

The buffering member 624 may be disposed at the bent portion 622b of the support plate 622. The buffering member 624 disposed at the bent portion 622b may protrude toward the second lens module 500 to absorb an impact between the third lens module 600 and the second lens module 500. Cushioning members 624 may be formed from a material that readily absorbs impact. For example, cushioning members 624 may be formed from a material such as rubber. However, the material of the cushioning member 624 is not limited to rubber.

The yoke member 630 may be disposed in the receiving portion 610. The yoke member 630 may be configured to have substantially the same sectional area as the fourth driving magnet 742.

The third lens module 600 can be moved in the direction of the second optical axis C2 by the fourth driver 740. For example, the third lens module 600 can be moved in the second optical axis C2 direction by a driving force formed between the fourth driving magnet 742 and the fourth driving coil 744.

The third lens module 600 may be configured to be movable on the second lens module 500. For example, the third lens module 600 may be disposed on the support part 540 of the second lens module 500 and moved in a state of not contacting the bottom part 102 of the housing 100. The third lens module 600 may be configured to roll on the second lens module 500. For example, the third lens module 600 may roll on the second lens module 500 via the ball bearings 546 provided in the

guide grooves

542 and 642. The third lens module 600 may be disposed to match the optical axis of the second lens module 500. For example, the position of the third lens module 600 on the second lens module 500 may be aligned by the plurality of ball bearings 546 in point contact with the

guide grooves

542 and 642.

The third lens module 600 may include a member for maintaining a constant distance from the housing 100. For example, the third lens module 600 may include a magnetic material 680 (refer to fig. 22) on a bottom surface thereof configured to interact with the magnetic material 184 of the housing 100. The magnetic material 680 forms an attractive force with the magnetic material 184 of the housing 100 to reduce the separation of the third lens module 600 from the housing 100. The magnetic material 680 of the third lens module 600 may have a different size from the magnetic material 580 of the second lens module 500. For example, the magnetic material 680 of the third lens module 600 may be formed to be smaller than the magnetic material 580 of the second lens module 500. As another example, the length of the magnetic material 680 in the second optical axis C2 direction may be smaller than the length of the magnetic material 580 in the second optical axis C2 direction (refer to fig. 18B). Therefore, an attractive force generated between the second lens module 500 and the housing 100 may be greater than an attractive force generated between the third lens module 600 and the housing 100. The above-described condition can reduce a shake which may be caused when the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 are integrally driven. In addition, the above-described condition may stably maintain the stationary state of the second lens module 500, thereby minimizing or limiting a shake of the second lens module 500 or a position change of the second lens module 500, which may be caused when the third lens module 600 is independently driven.

The first to third lens modules 400 to 600 configured as described above may be sequentially disposed behind the optical path conversion module 300 as shown in fig. 19. In addition, the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be selectively moved in the second optical axis C2 direction to perform auto-focusing and/or zooming of the camera module 14.

Hereinafter, a coupling structure and an alignment structure between the housing and the first to third lens modules are described with reference to fig. 20 to 22.

First, a coupling structure and an alignment structure between the housing and the first lens module are described with reference to fig. 20.

The first lens module 400 may be disposed to be maintained at a first height h1 from the bottom surface of the housing 100. Desirably, the first lens module 400 may be disposed such that a height hcl from the center LC1 of the lens 402 received in the first lens module 400 to the bottom surface of the housing 100 remains constant.

The position of the first lens module 400 with respect to the housing 100 may be aligned by the first optical axis alignment member 810. For example, the position of the first lens module 400 with respect to the housing 100 may be fixed or aligned by the guide groove 460 line-contacting the circumferential surface of the first optical axis alignment member 810 at two points.

A coupling structure and an alignment structure between the housing and the second lens module are described with reference to fig. 21A to 21B.

As shown in fig. 21A, the second lens module 500 may be disposed to be maintained at a second height h2 from the bottom surface of the housing 100. Desirably, the second lens module 500 may be disposed such that the height hc2 from the center LC2 of the lens 502 accommodated in the second lens module 500 to the bottom surface of the housing 100 is kept constant. The second lens module 500 may be disposed to match the optical axis of the first lens module 400. For example, height hc2 and height hcl may have the same dimensions within a tolerance.

The position of the second lens module 500 with respect to the housing 100 may be aligned by the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820. For example, the position of the second lens module 500 with respect to the housing 100 may be aligned by the ball bearings 562 that are in point contact with each of the first optical axis alignment member 810 and the second optical axis alignment member 820.

The second lens module 500 may be configured to move smoothly with respect to the housing 100. For example, since the second lens module 500 does not directly contact the bottom portion of the housing 100 but makes point contact with the ball bearing 572 provided in the groove 180 of the housing 100, and thus, frictional resistance and noise caused by contact with the bottom portion of the housing 100 may be minimized.

As shown in fig. 21B, the alignment of the second lens module 500 and the housing 100 may also be achieved by a contact structure between the plurality of ball bearings 562 and the first optical axis alignment member 810. Here, the plurality of ball bearings 562 may be fixed to the second lens module 500 in a state of being mounted in the receiving member 5622. This form is advantageous for miniaturizing the second lens module 500 and the camera module 14.

Hereinafter, a coupling structure and an alignment structure of the housing and the third lens module are described with reference to fig. 22.

As shown in fig. 22, the third lens module 600 may be disposed to be maintained at a third height h3 from the bottom surface of the housing 100. Ideally, the third lens module 600 may be disposed such that a height hc3 from the center LC3 of the lens 602 accommodated in the third lens module 600 to the bottom surface of the housing 100 is kept constant. The third lens module 600 may be disposed to match the optical axes of the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500. For example, height hc3 may be the same size within a tolerance range as previously described for height hc1 and height hc 2.

The position of the third lens module 600 relative to the housing 100 may be configured to be aligned by the second lens module 500. For example, the position of the third lens module 600 with respect to the second lens module 500 may be aligned by the ball bearings 546 disposed in point contact with the

guide grooves

542 and 642, and the position of the third lens module 600 may be aligned by the second lens module 500. Therefore, according to the current embodiment or embodiments, the positions of the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 may be simultaneously aligned by the positional alignment of the second lens module 500 with respect to the housing 100.

Meanwhile, in the camera module 14, according to the current one or more embodiments, it is illustrated that the plurality of optical

axis aligning members

810 and 820 are disposed at the bottom portion of the housing 100 and the guide grooves and/or the ball bearings are disposed in the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500, but one or more optical axis aligning members may be formed in the first and

second lens modules

400 and 500 and the guide grooves or the ball bearings may be disposed at the bottom portion of the housing 100.

In accordance with one or more present embodiments, the camera module 14 may be configured to enable auto-focus (AF) and/or zoom. As an example, the camera module 14 may perform auto-focusing (AF) by very slightly moving one or more of the first lens module 400 to the third lens module 600 in the state shown in fig. 23. As another example, the camera module 14 may perform zooming by moving the second and

third lens modules

500 and 600 by a predetermined size, as shown in fig. 24 and 25.

According to one or more embodiments at present, the camera module 14 may be configured to be able to rapidly move the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600. For example, since the camera module 14 according to one or more embodiments of the present invention is a structure in which the third lens module 600 is moved after the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600 are moved as shown in fig. 24 and 25, a driving error caused by moving the third lens module 600 with a large displacement may be minimized.

Further, according to the current embodiment or embodiments, the camera module 14 may be configured to be able to precisely move the second lens module 500 and the third lens module 600. For example, as shown in fig. 24 and 25, the camera module 14 according to the current embodiment or embodiments has a structure in which the final displacement of the third lens module 600 is formed by the sum of the displacement m1 of the second lens module 500 and the displacement m2 of the third lens module 600, and thus, a driving error (non-linear driving) that may be caused by moving one lens module at a large displacement can be minimized.

Therefore, according to one or more embodiments at present, the camera module 14 may not only realize an optical imaging system with a high magnification, but also improve the imaging quality of the optical imaging system with a high magnification.

Further, according to the current embodiment or embodiments, in the camera module 14, since the housing 100 and the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 contact each other in the minimum area, noise that may occur when the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 are driven may be minimized, and power consumption required to drive the first to third lens modules 400 to 600 may be reduced.

Fig. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a portable device 1000 according to one or more embodiments, such as, by way of example, a smartphone, in which a user may use the smartphone 120 including the camera module 10, the microphone 130, and the display 160.

For reference, in the drawings and the description according to one or more of the foregoing embodiments, the positions of the first lens module and the second lens module are aligned by the rod-shaped optical axis aligning member, but if necessary, the positions of the first lens module and the second lens module may be aligned by a plurality of ball bearings instead of the rod-shaped optical axis aligning member.

As described above, in the present disclosure, since optical axis misalignment between lens modules is minimized, deterioration of imaging quality due to optical axis misalignment between lens modules can be minimized.

Further, in the present disclosure, since the linear mobility of the lens module is ensured, the driving reliability of the camera module may be improved.

Further, in the present disclosure, since substantial displacement of the lens module is minimized, the configuration of the driver required to drive the lens module may be minimized.

While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The examples described herein are to be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The description of features or aspects in each example should be understood to apply to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may still be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the specific embodiments but by the claims and their equivalents, and all modifications within the scope of the claims and their equivalents should be understood as being included in the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A camera module, comprising:

a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move along an optical axis;

a first driver configured to drive the first lens module;

a second lens module including a second lens group disposed on the first lens module and configured to move along the optical axis when the first lens module is driven by the first driver;

a second driver configured to drive the second lens module independently of the first lens module;

an image sensor disposed on an imaging side of the first lens module and the second lens module; and

a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module and the second lens module, wherein the first lens group and the second lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis in a direction toward the image sensor.

2. The camera module of claim 1,

the first driver includes:

a first driving magnet disposed in the first lens module; and

a first drive coil disposed in the housing, an

The second driver includes:

a second driving magnet disposed in the second lens module; and

a second drive coil disposed in the housing.

3. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

a ball bearing disposed between the first lens module and the second lens module to facilitate relative movement between the second lens module and the first lens module.

4. The camera module of claim 1,

the first driver and the second driver are disposed to face each other with respect to the optical axis.

5. The camera module of claim 1,

the displacement of the first lens module on the optical axis moved by the first driver is larger than the displacement of the second lens module on the optical axis moved by the second driver.

6. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

a first guide member provided in the housing to facilitate movement of the first lens module on the optical axis.

7. The camera module of claim 6,

the first guide includes one or both of a ball bearing and a rod-like member.

8. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

a first magnet provided at each of the housing and the first lens module to restrain the first lens module to the housing; and

a second magnet disposed at each of the housing and the second lens module to restrain the second lens module to the housing.

9. The camera module of claim 8,

the length of the first magnet on the optical axis is longer than the length of the second magnet on the optical axis.

10. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

a third lens module disposed on an object side of the first lens module.

11. The camera module of claim 1, further comprising:

an optical path converter disposed on an object side of the first lens module.

12. A camera module, comprising:

a first lens module including a first lens group and configured to move on an optical axis of the first lens group;

a second lens module including a second lens group and configured to move on the optical axis;

a third lens module including a third lens group and configured to move on the optical axis;

an image sensor disposed on an image forming side of the first lens module, the second lens module, and the third lens module; and

a housing configured to house the first lens module, the second lens module, and the third lens module,

wherein the first lens group, the second lens module, and the third lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis, an

The first lens module and the third lens module are disposed on the second lens module.

13. The camera module of claim 12, further comprising:

a first ball bearing disposed between the first lens module and the second lens module to facilitate movement of the first lens module; and

a second ball bearing disposed between the second lens module and the third lens module to facilitate movement of the third lens module.

14. The camera module of claim 13,

the second lens module includes a first guide groove configured to receive the first ball bearing and a second guide groove configured to receive the second ball bearing.

15. The camera module of claim 12, further comprising:

a first driver configured to drive the first lens module in an optical axis direction;

a second driver configured to drive the second lens module in the optical axis direction; and

a third driver configured to drive the third lens module in the optical axis direction.

16. The camera module of claim 15,

the first driver and the third driver are disposed to face each other with respect to the optical axis and the second driver.

17. A camera module, comprising:

a first lens module including a first lens group;

a second lens module including a second lens group and configured to move along an optical axis;

a first driver configured to drive the second lens module;

a third lens module including a third lens group disposed on the second lens module and configured to move in unison with the second lens module when driven;

a second driver configured to drive the third lens module independently of the second lens module;

wherein the first lens group, the second lens group, and the third lens group are sequentially arranged along the optical axis, an

The moving distance of the second lens module by the first driver is smaller than the moving distance of the third lens module by the second driver.

18. The camera module of claim 17, further comprising:

a first accommodating portion formed in the second lens module and configured to accommodate a first driving magnet of the first driver; and

a second accommodating portion formed in the third lens module and configured to accommodate a second driving magnet of the second driver.

19. The camera module of claim 18,

the first accommodating portion extends to the image sensor side, an

The second accommodating portion extends to the object side.

20. A portable device, comprising:

a camera module, comprising:

a second lens module including a second lens group and slidably coupled to the first lens module;

a first driver configured to drive the first lens module and the second lens module;

a housing configured to accommodate the first lens module and the second lens module.

21. The portable device of claim 20, wherein the first lens module further comprises a support portion and the second lens module is slidably coupled to the support portion.

22. The portable apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a guide groove formed in the bearing portion and a ball bearing provided in the guide groove.